Oli Thomas

While not a sport/recreation post, very relevant to anyone in the industry wanting to generate additional commercial returns from any facility, venue, event (and leverage a progressive and readymade data service)...

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Part 3 of Hiperpool’s MBB Global Salary Index: Purchasing Power After looking at gross salaries and net salaries in each country, we have now incorporated cost of living (including rent) to compare purchasing power across the group. To generate the proprietary purchasing power score, we’ve used net salary figures and triangulated cost of living from three reputable indices. The scores are relative to the lowest scoring country, with a baseline index of 1. If you’d like to check out Part 1 (gross salaries) and Part 2 (net salaries) please follow the links below. https://lnkd.in/eq6KpT7X https://lnkd.in/edw-gtwT We will compile all three parts, along with the great input and feedback received, into a final comprehensive report soon.

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It’s time… you can now invest in CLIQ! Invest here - https://lnkd.in/ep3YmSqf Our private phase for funding has officially gone live on Seedrs and we are so excited to have you on the journey to revolutionising the social media landscape with us 🚀 We all know that something needs to change with the way we use our phones, and now it’s your chance to be a part of that. When Nicola Gunby and I sat down with the team when planning our Seedrs campaign, we knew we wanted to do something different - because that’s what CLIQ is all about, breaking the mould and changing things up. We quickly realised the best way to do that was to tell our story from the beginning, in a relatable way that you as a watcher can relate with. And i think we did that pretty well…Society is sick of scrolling, and we are here to fix that. When you invest in CLIQ, you aren’t just investing in the business, the people and the app.... You are investing in change. A change that we all need. So, what are you waiting for? Hit that link and help change the world. Invest here - https://lnkd.in/ep3YmSqf This financial promotion has been prepared by and approved by Seedrs Ltd

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As a pre-seed startup in the UK, my experience mirrors this new strong data. I was lucky enough to find some fantastic first round investors who were willing to go on a capital-intensive journey to innovate, but an astonishingly few VCs in the UK - and the EU - were excited to take outsized risks for our outsized returns. Instead, many were looking for revenue at pre-seed on a tech-centric build: low risk, medium reward. (There were of course other reasons that some people passed, some excellent concerns & feedback, and some stellar funds in the UK, but I am 90% sure that my round as a whole would have been much easier in the USA.) Given my experience, the fact that I'm a US citizen as well, and the experience of nearly every other founder, I strongly predict that my next raise will be skewed to the USA. I will definitely be putting more energy there in the beginning. The UK has amazing SEIS and EIS, which moves money from the wealthy individuals into innovation, but the industry as a whole isn't there yet. (And those of you with SEIS and EIS with us, don't worry - if I do a flip, I'll do it correctly to protect you!)

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What's your SER ratio? Last week I posted my blog on measuring your Salary Efficiency Ratio.... https://lnkd.in/eTcdVxvC I came up with the following for what good looks like: 👍 Good SER (< 0.5) the company is spending less than 50% of its Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) on employee compensation. Good for established businesses. 👌 Acceptable SER (0.5 to 0.8) Established scale-ups need to be towards the bottom end, but in fast-growing tech companies could be at the top for a while (just don't stay there)! 👎 Poor SER (>0.8): You're spending more than 80% of ARR on employee salaries: way too much whatever the stage. I would love to know whether you think I've got these ranges right? #salaryefficiencyratio, #venturecapital, #CFO

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What a week at ThirdRetail!🚀 We took the stage at Rare Founders London’s Largest Demo Day on Monday🎤, sharing the spotlight with 7 other amazing marketplaces that are truly changing the game in the UK and beyond 🌍. It was incredible to see 100 of the UK's most promising startups from pre-seed to series-A, handpicked from hundreds, pitch their game-changing businesses to a room full of investors and industry leaders. The questions were 🔥, and the 1:1 investor and industry operator meetings? Even better! Some stimulating conversations came out of those. Some great validation from folks in retail was the highlight🙌 The best part is that I finally got an opportunity to F2F with so many amazing founders, operators, and investors, all thanks to Vasily Alekseenko and the Rare Founders team! If you want to check out the incredible list of startups, here's a great recap from Startups Magazine: https://lnkd.in/e2aTRU9m 🏬 Midweek was all about customers, hitting the ground with retailers. Anil Junagal and I always love our time on the field! We onboarded a stunning new store in a prime location with a 40% shelf expansion in a single onboarding📈—talk about the multiplier effect, and demand for the right brands leading to sustainable in-store rev-ops. Retailers want more revenue and better products on their shelves while removing underperforming ones 🚀. The feedback has been 🔑. Ending the week by gearing up for another controlled pilot with a fantastic brand starting in November, thanks to an investor/operator who's all in and excited to test with us. At the end of the day, it’s about creating real value for both brands and retailers 🤝. The weekend? Not quite yet! 😅 We’ve got one more big call and tech work ahead, but it's safe to say this was one of our most productive weeks yet 💪. Love the momentum though! 🔥 #startups #entrepreneurship #retailtech #innovation #ThirdRetail #founderslife #buildingthefuture

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With all the doom & gloom surrounding capital gains tax, here’s why I am now more bullish on the future of the UK 🇬🇧 tech scene (especially in AI): 1. 20VC's Fundraise:    This fundraise is bringing more eyeballs and the people towards the UK. It’s about time someone starts challenges the traditional approach to entrepreneurship here, and I’m confident that 20VC will become the gold standard for tech investing. 2. Growing AI Ecosystem:   There is already a substantial base brewing locally, with over 1,300 AI companies in London—more than New York and Berlin combined. The network effect is only set to grow, with amazing companies like Synthesia, Metaview, and Robin AI. 3. 10-Year AI National Strategy:  The UK has a 10-year AI national strategy aimed at making the country a world leader in AI. This government support could become a real driver for economic growth and job creation. The UK has all the foundations to become an amazing place to build a business.

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Starting a business is no small feat; many people face uncertainties that can feel daunting. If you're in that position, a practical checklist can make all the difference. It starts with researching the market to find a real customer need. This foundational step helps you craft your unique selling proposition. Next, a solid business plan is invaluable. It defines your mission and outlines your strategy for success. Once you have that, it's time to think about registering your business and choosing the right structure, whether that's a sole trader, partnership, or limited company. Financing is often a challenge, but exploring grants, loans, and crowdfunding can provide the necessary fuel without burning a hole in your wallet. Branding follows, where you define who you are as a business, not just what you offer. Building a seamless customer experience is crucial too, so plan your operational processes carefully. Finally, when you're ready, launch your business and keep the conversation going with your customers online. These steps are crucial for setting up a successful venture, and anyone starting out can benefit from following them. Feel free to drop your own tips or share your experiences while starting a business. https://lnkd.in/eBWtc3aS

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Well done Instinct Digital and Cassian Scott Stephen Maynard Great traction for the ambitious growth plans at Instinct Digital - “We are delighted to partner with AlbionVC on the next stage of our journey,” said Cassian Scott, CEO.  “Our prestigious clients are fundamental to our success, along with our partners and team who have enabled Instinct to build a product that has the potential to become the benchmark in investment communications and reporting for investors." see Morningstar Synpulse Marouane Bakhtar #fintech #assetmanagement #assetmanagers #investmentmanagers #wealthmanagement #reporting #investors

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Network News from 9others: Sophie Bailey 🙌🌿, GTM Guru After wrapping up WorkTripp® Sophie Bailey 🙌🌿 is onto the next thing. Chat to Sophie Bailey 🙌🌿 if you're keen on getting help with... 🔥 Ecosystem Building & GTM Strategy 💡 Revenue Drivers & Partnerships 🔧 Operational Leadership Learn more here ->> https://lnkd.in/ekhz6uW4

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10 ans! 10 magical years!   🎉 Today, Lucena is officially 10 years old! 🎂    What an incredible journey it has been. Supporting ambitious tech businesses in building their C-Suite in France, the UK and internationally!   A big thank you to the CEOs and co-founders of those start-ups, scale ups, SMBs and investors for your unwavering trust in our talent expertise when it came to your own growth and exit journey. I really enjoyed being a part of your team!   10 years of much luck, a bit of grit, and a huge amount of support from people who believed in me early on, my early adopters, and very first clients, who have made this possible. Sometimes, you need just three or four encounters in your life to propel you on your own growth trajectory. The rest follows.   🙏 I am super grateful for the remarkable candidates I have had the opportunity to meet. It has been so gratifying to see you evolve and develop your leadership styles over the years. I feel very fortunate to have played even a small part in facilitating your professional growth development, and occasionally even helping you get your first CEO gig. Different stories for every one of you. Distinct leadership styles with one common and underlying engine: passion. You are united by your drive to make an impact.   🙋‍♀️Listening. Transparency. Pragmatism.   Three words I hold very closely. I believe in the energy we each emanate and what it attracts to us. I am myself always working on cultivating my energy, my positivity, and my capacity to step back, to give you a listening ear, support, encourage, and drive an eagerness to keep on developing. You have each, in your own way, literally made me love my job! Thanks to you and our enriching, fun, authentic and oftentimes deep conversations, I’ve learned so much. I’ve learned so much about talent, about humans, leaders, and about myself. I’ve laughed and grown so much in these past 10 years. I am because we are.   Thank you for the learnings, opportunities and experiences!   Let’s keep on growing together! ✨   Isabelle

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I finally had the opportunity to watch the full video Headline Media posted of a panel we hosted in London with LocalGlobe a few weeks back featuring insights from some of the best marketers we have worked with over the years such as Lauren Berkemeyer from YuLife, Yael Wissner-Levy from Lemonade, and Matthew Jones from Cowbell. It’s a true masterclass. Will try to share these great insights as they pop up.   Below is Yael Wissner Levy discussing how storytelling was a key element in Lemonade's GTM strategy from the ground up long before product hit market.    I get asked what the 40 or so unicorns we have been lucky enough to play with have in common. First, they are overwhelmingly second timer founders. As second timers, they know where to put their investment of time and resources right out of the gate for the best long-term outcome.  Almost all of them put storytelling at the top of the agenda early in the lifecycle of the startup. I promise you, these are hard-core tech guys so they don’t instinctively gravitate towards, or even like storytelling or marketing. BUT they do know that making “Phuking A” hires to run marketing or brand as early as possible and well before the product is ready increases the chance of adoption, and a massive ROI on their investment down the road.      Faye Co-Founder Daniel G. shared a similar experience with me at the event described, but gave credit to Viola Ventures Omry Ben David for encouraging them to grab the incredible Lauren Gumport during early days.  Needless to say, it is clearly paying off (Lauren and the Faye team are crushing it...).   Point is…dealing with storytelling and marketing is indeed a nightmare before product is ready, but the people with the most experience and success know that it is twice as hard to play catchup down the road with your positioning. Without building a significant brand narrative out of the gate, you will end up leaving money on the table. Enjoy.

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Key events one must not ignore if you are building a tech startup - If you are in the North of England - Northern Tech Awards run by GP Bullhound and founded by me - If you are in Europe, State of European Tech Report annually produced by Atomico The latest report https://lnkd.in/eyFwAJNm, which was released today at Slush has a whole section on talent. Key themes emerging - hiring isn't easy - first time job seekers have fallen - UK remains a top tech nation for tech jobs - Competition for senior tech talent is high - AI talent is clustering In terms of tech companies obsession with the US - Europeans starts more tech companies than the US - European founders are more experienced than ever (that goes without saying) - Startups are spinning out from top tech companies (this is the essential ingredient for ecosystem survival) - Skype mafia still rules in Europe (US equivalent is PayPal) So what does it take to build and grow a tech startup - know how and ability to execute (Europe has plenty due to Exits) - Capital (over flowing with cautionary investors) - Talent When it comes to know how, Techcelerate https://lnkd.in/eKeefU7 is here for you. Join us on the 27th https://lu.ma/upag9uga When it comes to talent, SkilledUp Life has 52,000 skilled volunteers who can help to de-risk your tech startup for investors. This is achieved through Techcelerate Way by building teams with SkilledUp Life volunteers: - Validate the idea - Build your product - Build brand awareness - Generate demand - Acquire users and convert to customers - Delight customers and manage churn - Grow your team If you have the will, there is nothing to stop you now. Europe has everything you need. Want to discuss further: - Attend our LinkedIn events on Friday at 12 pm GMT - Book a demo and a chat https://lnkd.in/erspFMm9 Serious tech founders only Niklas Zennström Laura Connell Shamal Thakar Alvaro Campos Hillary Ball Marta Naidenova Miguel Rodrigo Pérez #tech #europe #Atomico #buildingtech #techcompanies #techstartups #growth

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Choppity's Product Hunt launch has made it to the features page 🥳 We're so pleased the Product Hunt recognises the launch as being worth featuring!! See our progress and support our launch 🙏🏽 linked in the comments below 👇🏽 We'd love feedback on the new feature!! (also linked below) #producthunt #aivideoediting #featurelaunch

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It’s been a BUSY Q4 at Truepic so far! ⚡️ I'm incredibly proud of the progress our team is making on driving forward content authenticity. Here’s a snapshot of what we’ve been up to: ✨ Announced a new partnership with Dun & Bradstreet, adding another powerhouse to our network of F500 customers. 📹 Captured and uploaded the first-ever verified video to YouTube—an Internet first! 🏆 Awarded a Power Partner recognition by Inc. for our Customer impact. 🖥️ Launched the new Truepic.com, which highlights the broad capabilities of our platform. 👥 Hired incredible new talent across our product and marketing teams. 🔐 Launched C2PA Version 2.0 (first!) to support for 3rd parties, setting the bar for release cadence. 📱 Highlighted in CNET for our work empowering the next generation Android devices with C2PA. 🇫🇷 Helped lead the C2PA's collaboration with the Embassy of France for an inaugural international briefing. 🗺️ Released the Authenticity Market Map, highlighting an exciting new category of authenticity-first companies. 🌐 Expanded capabilities of our Vision platform, including the ability to embed into any app. 📖 Released critical research on the emerging AI Safety trends driving content authenticity. The momentum continues to build for #C2PA, content authenticity, and digital trust at large! There is so much more exciting work coming in 2025 as content authenticity becomes part of the core enterprise stack, and begins reaching consumers globally.

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What to make of Musk, Meta, Amazon etc.? A must-read editorial from The Media Leader UK and Nick Manning's insightful commentary... Here's just a taste of what you'll get by reading Omar Oakes' editorial: "Now the tone has been set by Facebook, Instagram and X, there is no hope of social media being reformed into a mainstream media environment where content can be trusted and media value can be fairly compared with other channels." The discussion compares the 5 tech behemoths to "the 5 families". Harsh... but maybe appropriate. Anyway, read and decide for yourself. Marketers need to take what's happening seriously. Association of National Advertisers American Marketing Association Agency Management Institute 4As AMIN Worldwide Plus One Network CEO Stars

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Really grateful to two market-leading Editors of subscription-led businesses and terrific ex-colleagues of mine, Catrin Griffiths and Alastair McLellan, for spending time with me last week on B2B content strategy. If you want to watch on-demand there is a link below. Highlights for me included: Impact on content strategy of the move to a paid subscription business model 17min46 Building a high value B2B content proposition 14min02, 23min05, & 31min29 How to motivate editors & editorial teams 29min42 & 50min47 Removing Print as a platform 45min02: https://lnkd.in/gbwftfwR

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